Shrinking Forests

School Library Journal

Gr 5 Up-- These volumes catalog the many incursions of modern life against the planet, covering much basic material for general reading and for research. The grim facts, such as the 60% decline in songbird population over the past 30 years and the loss of all life in the Baltic Sea, combined with explanatory text and recommendation for action, make these valuable additions to the burgeoning literature on the environment. Clearly--if doggedly--presented, the data shows a bleak future for those who do not take heed of nature's warnings. Murky black-and-white photographs are offset by sections of excellent full-color plates, randomly placed within the text. A broad range of information is presented with easy access through a comprehensive index. Some subjects, such as acid rain, are covered in both books, with greater clarity and detail in Shrinking Forests . Tangential subjects such as silk-making and forestry lend additional interest. --Eva Elisabeth Von Ancken, Trinity Pawling School, NY